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Original poster

Fantasy books with girls/women as the main character?

85 replies

Takver · 16/09/2011 19:08

DD reads a lot of fantasy books - the Eragon series, Wizard of Earthsea, Diana Wynne Jones Chrestomanci series, Charlie Bone, Harry Potter, that sort of thing.

Thinking about it, although there are plenty of strong female characters in them, just about all of these books have a male protagonist. The only series' I can think of with female leads are the Narnia books (taking Lucy as the main character for several, which I think is fair enough), and the Dark Materials trilogy.

Can anyone think of any other fantasy books (ideally series!) with a female lead - I just think it would be nice for a change for dd to have some books where the women get to be centre stage.

She's 9 btw, so need to be reasonably age-appropriate - so not Mercedes Lackey, for example, and probably not the Dragonrider books, though can't remember how unsuitable they might be (actually, if they weren't too dreadfully inappropriate they might be just her sort of thing).

OP posts:
Original poster
Takver · 16/09/2011 20:30

Oh yes, had forgotten the Borrowers - dd has read them, but not for ages I don't think as she had DH's old big hardback copy which is lurking on our bookshelves downstairs.

OP posts:
NorkyPies · 16/09/2011 20:28

Should have added that Arrietty is very spirited, and gets into scrapes by always trying to get away and explore the wider world.

NorkyPies · 16/09/2011 20:27

The Borrowers, with Arrietty their daughter as fairly central character. They are miniature sized humans who live (rather like mice, and they are mice-sized) in the interstices of houses and 'borrow' items for their own use (matchboxes for beds, playing cards for wall pictures etc.)

Original poster
Takver · 16/09/2011 20:21

This is great! I think dd would be fine with a bit gory Remus - its just too many heavy 'issues' might be a bit much (I love Mercedes Lackey's books btw, and would recommend them like a shot to a fantasy loving 14 y/o, say)

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/09/2011 20:18

Oh and Inkheart by Cornelia Funke - but read it first and check if it's suitable because it is quite gory. It's really, really good though.

talkingnonsense · 16/09/2011 20:17

Tamora pierce's song of the lioness series.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/09/2011 20:17

The Mortal Engines series is brilliant and has a girl, Hester, who initially befriends the main character but then becomes a v v important character in her own right. She makes an interesting feminist role model too!

Original poster
Takver · 16/09/2011 20:14

Oh, they look good - had forgotten about Tiffany Aching, and Trudi Canavan looks v. interesting. Any more - am making lists :)

Our library is very small, & we don't have any big bookshops nearby so its hard for dd just to browse & find things she likes, & recommendations are great.

(For anyone else with fantasy loving dcs who'd like a bit of gender balance, I did forget Fly by Night and its sequel, which have a fantastic heroine.)

OP posts:
EsmeWeatherwax · 16/09/2011 19:29

Trudi Canavan books, her first series have a female (youngish girl) lead. Good too! Here they are.

WidowWadman · 16/09/2011 19:21

The Tiffanny Aching Books by Pratchett - Starting with Wee Free Men, then A Hat full of Sky, Wintersmith, I shall wear Midnight